Contradictions Galore

Thanks all

I have two further opportunities to follow from my network to get a third diagnosis (currently one yes and one no).  I will also look at Trainspotter's links too.

WRT Company Advice Note, Self funded diagnosis and elements of company policies still ignored then it may end up legal.  Maybe my beligerance/stubbornness and openness will make someone listen and hear.  

Another long weekend away and possible steps through my counsellor to Occupational Health will help.

Even with a diagnosis you have to 'prove' your disability affects you in your everyday life. 

A diagnosis should make this easier as it should state the difficulties you have.  But an employer could, and in all probability will, leave it to you to prove you are disabled under the Equality Act without a diagnosis.

The ultimate referee as to whether you are disabled under the act would be a court of law if your employer will not accept you are disabled under the act.  But this does not stop you trying to show that you have problems in everyday life that are caused by a disability whatever that disability may be.

For autism, such things as sensory overload, not liking change, difficulties with social understanding, stress and anxiety, literal interpretation, and many other things are ways in which your normal everyday life is affected.  And someone to support your case such as a union representative will make sure you put your case forward in the best way.  It will not be easy if your employer digs their heels in.

If you write/email (preferably email as you will have a provable trail) your employer stating you consider yourself disabled under the Equality Act, and request a meeting to discuss reasonable adjustments that should put the ball firmly in your employers court to discuss exactly what adjustments you are asking for.  After all you are not asking for anything outrageous, just something to help you do your job without detriment considering your condition.  Get your information sorted out beforehand, and decide whether you would like to garner further evidence/advice beforehand (see link below on proving disability).

You could of course go through the Employment Tribunal route, which has many steps for which there are strict deadlines (grievance, grievance appeal, Early Concilliation, Employment tribunal preliminary hearing and Tribunal itself, and your employer if they wanted to get rid of you would offer you money at some stage.  Very few employment tribunal cases are successful when carried all the way (around 8%). 

A private assessment/diagnosis can be expensive, the cheapest I have heard of is about £500, going all the way to in excess of £2000.  Even if you cannot find a cheap one where you live, you might consider travelling for a cheaper price.  Very few publish prices but one that does is:

https://www.summerfieldhealthcare.co.uk/autism/

The psychologist who works for that clinic also does consultations without going through the clinic so it may be worth while googling him and finding his contact details and emailing for a price -  going through the clinic may be more expensive.

The following publication may be of use to you in how to 'prove' you are disabled under the Equality Act:

https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/publication-download/proving-disability-and-reasonable-adjustments

Also consider help from Access to Work.  They can give help for a variety of conditions, both mental and physical, and a diagnosis is not strictly necessary although it will help.  You should emphasise the ways you are affected by your condition (such as severe stress and anxiety).  They will recommend adjustments and you may get a support worker.

I am really sorry to hear you are left with such unresolved problem. Just to say we are here for you. I could imagine how disorienting it could feel.  Maybe try to relax for now . It is a temporary setback, you could make plans how you could try to resolve it, but for now, maybe something, that would make you relax :)

You're absolutely right about the Equality Act & the workplace GP where I work wrote in my Occ Health report that the application of the act is a "legal and not medical determination".

In my situation, if it helps, I have a diagnostic report that says I need an ADOS test (so I'm just behind you on the process) but also confirms in writing that I have sensory differences and impairments in social interaction - which actually were the things that prompted me to ask for the reasonable adjustments that are already in place. So I'm wondering if your report is similarly helpful, even if it doesn't give you a "full" diagnosis?

I'm preparing myself to be told I'm not on the spectrum too at my ADOS in a few weeks time, by rationalising that actually it doesn't matter as the things that bother me have already been picked up.

I will be asking at the NAS show this weekend.  I will also use my network to facilitate someone else who specialises in adults and probably pay for it.

So... what are your options?

So many things I have read in books and on here and I tick the boxes.

Stimming

Touch/feel issues - do not feel pain as much as others would

Audio issues which includes poor active listening and hating chit chat

I had one nurse score me at 103 on some scale but that falls on deaf ears.

Ok. 

I am told I am borderline....but I was told my love of routine was down to being a single parent (so you're busy so love/need a routine) plus a lack of family background on upbringing.

A recent abusive relationship cited as the cause of social anxiety...not life long autism

No idea how to do that on here - they do not make it easy

please PM